Display counter



Jan. 27, 1931. K. SMKLIIEHN 1,790,383

DISPLAY COUNTER Filed Oct. 28, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 27, 1931. K. s. KUEHN I 7 1,790,383

DISPLAY COUNTER Filed Oct. 28; 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 im 6722 07 MRLJ. KUEHN F764 I flail/WWW Jrromvsrs Patented Jan. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES KARL s. EHN, or MINHEAPOIIQ MINNESOTA nIsrLAYcoun'rEn I Application nledloctober 2c, 1925; Serial No. 65,374."

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in display counters, generally, and more particularly relates to improvements in such counters of the type adaptedfor use to display perishable articles such as meats, vegetables, pastry, and the like.

An object of the invention-is 'to provide a display counterhaving a cooling medium therein forthepurpose-bf coolingarti'cles displayed, which counter is also provided with means for humidifyingthe air circulating therethrough, thereby 'preserving 'the' attributes of articles contained therein \a maximum length of time. I

vide a display counter having means for establishing free and rapid circulation of the cooled air currents therein, and isalsoprovided withmeans fordirecting the cooled air 29 currents over the articleson display therein;

A further object isto'provide adisplay counter having an inclined glass panel front through which the articles on display may readily be seen and observed by prospective 5 customers, and which counter is also provided with a ledgeon the front side thereof Whereon customers may lean or place their bundles while selecting articles from the counter. A u

A further object'is to provide such a structure having a pluralityof removable trays mounted upon a demountable support;

ing frame so that they may readily and conveniently be removed at any time for purposes of cleaning, or when it is desired clean the interior of the counter. I

A further object is to provide a display counter having a mirror arranged directly back of the removable trays so that the articles will be reflected therein to add to the attractiveness of the display, and also having concealed means'for illuminating the'in-' terior of the counter whereby the articles on display willpresent avery'neat appearance and may readily be observed by prospective customers.

The particular object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved display counter, so designed and constructed as to present a very'attractive display of the articles by quickly attracting and holding the attention" of prospective customers with 'a resultant increase in the number of sales.

Other objects of the invention willappear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexedclaims. In the accompanying drawings there has been discloseda structure designed to carry outthe various objects of the invention but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the g V I scope of the claims which follow; A further object of the inventionis-to pro- In the drawings, r v

'ure 1 "s'a" perspective sectional view of a portion of the improved counter show ing the generalconstruction thereof;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the counter as "arranged in a store building and showing articleson display therein; I s Figure 3'is a perspectiveview of a portion of the tray supporting rack removedfrom thecounter and showing one of the trays positioned therein;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing a relatively larger flat tray positioned upon the rackgand" 1 v "Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed I view showing the means provided at oneside 1 of o the counter-for supporting the demountable supporting frame or rack. 1

' Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention. g V The novel display counter featured in this invention preferably comprisesa front wall 6, of suitable construction, anda bottom plate'or base 7 supported upon suitable uprights 8' and 9 having their lower ends connected together by means of cross members 11 as shown inFigure 1. A panel 12 is secured to the front faces of the uprights 8' to provide a closure for the lower portion of the counter so that it will present a neat appearanceas particularly shown in Figure 2. An important feature of this invention resides in the novel construction of the interior of the counter, and also in the general construction of the upper portion thereof. As shown'in Figure 1, the front panel 6 and the bottom plate 7 are lined with a suitable insulating or non-heat conducting material 13 and 14 which functions to prevent the heat and cold from radiating through the walls of the counter. The relatively thicker insulating material 14 in the bottom of the counter is preferably covered with suitable strips or boards 15 after which the entire bottom and front and rear walls of the counter are lined with a suitable water-proof and rust-proof lining 16. An upright flange'or ridge 17 is provided in the lining 16 adjacent the rear wall 18 to divide the bottom of the counter into two sections, the forward, section being adapted to contain a quantity of water which functions to humidify the air currents travcling thereover, and the rear section having a plurality of slats 19 arranged thereon upon which a suitable cooling medium, such as ice 21, shown in dotted lines, may be placed. If desired, other refrigerating means applicable for the purpose may be employed. The rear port-ion of the counter is therefore preferably arranged to provide a cooling chamber which is separated from the major forward or display portion of the counter by means of an intermediate wall 22 supported upon up right standards 23 having their lower end portions resting upon the bottom lining 16 adjacent the upright ridge 17, and having their upper. end portions secured to a longitudinal rail 2& connected to the rear wall 18 by means of the top panels 25 and 26. The top panels 26 are preferably permanently mounted upon the counter and also preferably extend beyond or overhang the rear wall 18 so as to provide ample room upon which to place a. scale, such as is commonly used for weighing the articles sold. The relatively narrower top panels 25 may be demountably supported upon the counter so that convenient access may be had to the cooling chamber therebeneath. The rear walllS and top panels 25 and 26 are also preferably lined with a suitable insulating material.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the particular location of the intermediate wall 22 separating the cooling chamber from the display portion of the counter. This wall, it will be noted, is spaced from the bottom of the counter so as to provide a longitudinal gap between the bottom thereof and the top edge of the ridge 17. The upper edge of the wall 22 is also spaced from the bottom of the rail 24 so that a gap is provided therebetween through which the air currents will circulate as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. A plurality of shallow trays 27 are mounted, preferably, at a slight incline within the forward portion of the counter. These trays are supported upon a frame 28 havin its forward portion demountably supported within the counter by a longitudinal supporting rail 29 adjacent the forward wall 6 of the counter and its rear portion supported upon a ledge or shelf 30 secured at the bottom edge of the intermediate wall 22. The trays 27 are adapted to support the articles on display in the counter and each tray is preferably white enameled and constructed of a single piece of metal, thereby providing a very neat appearing and sanitary article-supporting means. The construction of the supporting frame 28 and the trays 27 mounted thereon is such that the trays may be arranged close together so that practically all of the space within the counter may be utilized for display purposes, and also so that practically all the circulated air will travel under and over the entire display space. 1

Figure 4 illustrates a relatively larger tray 31 of a slightly modified form which is adapted to be supported upon the supporting frame 28 as shown. This tray 31, in like manner, is demountably supported on the frame 28. so that it may readily be removed from the counter when desired.

. Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the rail 29 supporting the forward portion of the frame 28 is spaced from the lining 16 on the inside of the front wall 6,'thereby providing a circulating passage between the front edge of the supporting frame, and therefore the trays 27, and the front wall 6 so that the cooled air may circulate therebetween and over the articles on display in the trays, and thence back through the gap over the intermediate wall 22 and into the cooling chamber at the rear of the counter. The supporting rail 29 is preferably supported upon and secured to suitable brackets 32 having feet 33 formed thereon adapt-ed to rest upon the bottom of the counter,'aud also having upwardly extending end-portions 34 adapted to engage the inner face of the front wall 6 as shown. These brackets are not secured to the bottom or front walls of the counter, and the rail may therefore readily be removed therefrom, thereby leaving the bottom and front walls of the counter free to be readily and conveniently cleaned when desired.

Another feature in the construction of this novel display counter resides in the means provided for directing the cooled air currents rearwardly over the articles on display in the counter, so that the cooled air will be deterred from rising into the upper portions of the counter and out of contact with the articles on display therein. The means pro vided for thus directing the cooled air over the trays preferably consists in the formation of a ridge or lip 35 on the interior of the front wall 6 arranged to provide substantially a uniform circulating passage between the front web of the supporting rail 29 and the interior of the front wall 6 and also between the upper edge thereof and the ridge or lip 35 as shown.

When the counter is functioning, the

cooled air will circulate; from the cooling chamber at the rear of the counter through the space between the tray-supporting frame 28 and the bottom of the counter; thence up- 7 wardly between the rail 29 and the front wall 6, and rearwardly over the trays and through the gap between the upper edge'of the interprovide, in effect, a shallow pan in which 3' quantity of water is maintained for purposes of hunndifying the air currents as they pass beneath the trays 27. Small particles of ice 7 36, as indicated by the dotted lines iii-Figure V 1, may be placed in the bottom of the counter beneath the trays to cool the water therein and also for the purpose of cooling the passlng'air currents. I y

The partlc-ular arrangement of theair gaps above and below the intermediate wall 22' between the cooling chamber and the display portion thereof, is such as to cause a natural and relatively rapid circulation of air around the displaytrays as indicated by the arrows, thereby causing the articles on display to be constantly subjected tothe cooling effect. of the air currents passing thereover. As a result of the rapid"circulation of the air through the counter, the humidity of the air will be maintained relatively high.

A drain pipe 37 is mountedin. the bottom of the counter in the forward portion thereof to drain the surplus water from the forward pan-like portion of the bottom thereof for cleaning purposes. This pipe is preferably corked, except while the counter is being cleaned, so as the retain a predetermined quantity of water in the bottom of the counter which will function to humidify the air as it passes thereoveinl A similardrain pipe 38 is provided in the cooling chamber to drain the water therefrom and also the water which overflows the ridge 17 from the forward portion of the counter. are preferably arranged adjacent each other and on opposite sides of the vertical flange or web 17, and have their lower ends communicating with a trap 39, of ordinary construction, having a drain pipe 41 leading therefrom which may be connected to the V sewer or other receiving means;

' Another feature in the construction of this novel counter resides in the particular arrangement of the upper portion thereof, which is so constructed and designed that customers will not'be likely to lean against the glass panel 42 thereof, nor uponthe-top or place bundles Orother articles on top of the counter. The front glass and panel is also comparatively close'to the relatively low display of the article; 1

These pipes Referringto Figurel, it will be noted that "the glass panel 42 of the counter is arranged at an incline andthat a shelf or ledge 43' is providedat the bottomthereof for the convenience of customers to place their bundles or to lean against as they stand in front of the counter, and also t0 make it convenient for customers to-l'ean forward and downward in close proximity to and' above the display. The inclination or angle of the glass panel 42 is such that the top plate 44 of the counter will be a considerable-distance back of th'e front ledge '43, thereby deterring customers from inadvertently placing bundles or articles thereon, and also from resting their elbows thereon, which would tend to divert the customers gaze and attention from the article on display in the counter. A plurality of sliding doors 45'are provided between the top plate 44 and the longitudinal rail 24 by means of which convenient access may be had to the interior of the counter from the rear thereof A longitudinal reflector 47 is 10- cated on the under side of the top plate 44 to reflect the light rays downwardly from a series of electric light bulbs 48. The construction of'the reflector 47 and the arrangement of the light bulbs therein is such that the lights cannot be readily seen from the front side of the counter,as it will be noted that the reflector is so formed as to provide an inverted trough-like recess in which the lightbulbs are mounted. V

A mirror 49 is preferably mounted to cover the front or exposed side of the intermediate wall 22 so that the articles on display in the trays will be reflected therein; thereby greatly increasing the attractiveness of the interior of the counter as well as making it possible for customers to see the relatively low display from a considerable distance. V

Figure 6 illustrates amodified construction wherein the circulation of air through the counter is in a reversed direction from that shown inFigure 1. In the construction here showna tray-supporting frame or rack 51 is mounted over the bottom wall 7 and is spaced therefrom to provide an air circulating passage 52. The front and rear edges of the frame 51: arealso separated from the front and rear walls 6 and 18 respectively, to allow the air to circulate freely around the frame and, therefore, the trays 27 positioned thereon, A wall 53 is provided at the rear of the frame to direct the-air currents to the upper portion of the cooling chamber 54, from whence they are directed downwardly through a longitudinally extending gap 55 by means of an intermediate wall or baflie plate 56, preferably secured to the rail 24.

Thus the air currents willfollow substantially the path indicated by the arrows, thereby causing the cooled and highly humidified air emanating from the gap 55 to travel directly over the articles on display and in close proximity thereto. If desired, the bottom of the counter beneath the trays may be partially filled with water to effect a better humidilicalion of the air passing thereover. Drain pipes 57 and 58 connect the cooling chamber 5% and bottom of the counter with the trap 39 in a manner similar to that shown and described with reference to the previous figures.

From the foregoing, therefore, it will readily be seen that this novel counter is well adapted for use to display all kinds of perishable articles, such as meats, vegetables, pastry, etc. As a result of the longitudinal air circulating space between the front edge of the tray-supporting frame and the front wall 6, and also as a result of the rearwardly extending ridge or lip 35, the cooled air currents circulating from the cooling chamber at the rear of the counter and over the water chamber in the forward portion thereof, will be directed rcarwardly over the articles on display on the trays, thereby constantly keeping them supplied with cool, fresh air. Also as a result of the water contained in the bottom of the counter the humidity and temperature of the air in the display portion of the counter will remain substantially constant, thereby providing a counter well adapted for use in stores and the like to display various kinds of articles. 7

The particular design of the exterior of the counter is also such as to have a psychological effect upon prospective customers to induce them to make purchases, due to the well illuminated interior of the counter, the attractive appearance of the articles on display i herein, and the arrangement of the trays and the mirror in which the articles will be reflected. The general exterior design of the counter is also such as to harmonize Well with most store interiors, thereby causing the attractive display of the articles within the counter to hold the attention of prospective customers with a resultant increase in sales.

In the drawings and specification the counter has been shown and described as using ice as a cooling medium, but it is to be understood that by slightly modifying the construction here shown other well-known refrigerating means may be employed for cooling the air currents without departing from the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A display counter having a rear cooling chamber and a forward display chamber, an imperforate partition as a display shelf dividing the display chamber horizontally to provide a. narrow circulation chamber therebeneath and arranged for communication at front and rear respectively with display and coolinq chambers, said cooling chamber communicating with said display chamber by another passage to obtain cooling circulation above and below the imperforate partition, said display shelf being loosely supported, a slot being provided to extend the full length of the shelf and display chamber whereby to cause the air to enter as a solid sheet upwardly into said display chamber.

2. In a display counter, a display chamber having a humidifying pan in the lower portion thereof and a metallic lining for its walls, brackets loosely seated in the forward portion of said chamber, a rail resting upon said brackets and extending lengthwise of said chamber adjacent the forward wall thereof, and a display rack supported by said rail, said brackets, rail and rack being ren'iovable from said chamber for the purpose specified.

3. A display counter having a cooling chamber in the rear thereof and a display chamber in the forward portion, said display chamber having a pan-like lining adapted to contain a humidifying agent, the floor of said counter beneath said cooling and display chambers comprising a comparatively thick slab of insulated material, a frame mounted in the display chamber and having removable trays forming with the frame an imperforate partition and defining with the bottom a narrow circulation passage communicating at front and rear respectively with display and cooling chambers, said cooling chamber communicating with the display chamber by another passage to obtain cooling circulation above and below the partition.

4. In a device of the class described, a display chamber having a non-transparent forward wall and a lining for the inner surface thereof, a removable frame fitting within said chamber and adapted to support trays of articles to be displayed, and removable brackets provided at intervals against the non-transparent forward Wall of said chamber for supporting said frame, said frame and brackets when removed allowing the convenient cleaning of said chamber.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a casing having therein a substantially horizontal tray carrier frame spaced from the bottom to form therewith a relatively narrow circulation passage and a large display chamber thereabove, trays removably engaged with said carrier to constitute with the same an imperforate display shelf, said carrier spaced from the front wall of the casing to provide acommunication of the circulation passage into the display chamber at the front, and a vertical partition dividing the casing to provide a rear refrigerant compartment, said partition arranged to establish circulation communication within said compartment passage and display chamber.

6. A device of the class described comprising a casing, a shelf horizontally arranged therein and spaced from the bottom to form a relatively narrow circulation passage, said prising a casing, a shelf arranged therein and spaced from the bottom toform a relatively narrow circulation passage, said shelf also being spaced from the front and rear walls of the casing and having a rear upward extension spaced from the top of the casing to form an unobstructed passage, a vertical partition depending from the casing top and spaced from the shelf to form an unobstructed passage, the said upward extension and depending partition forming a refrigeration compartment communicating with the circulation passage and display chamber above and below the shelf, that portion of the shelf within the display chamber'hhaving trays removably engaged there- Wit 8. A display counter having a cooling chamber in the rear, and a display chamber in the front, a tray carrier spaced from the bottom of the display chamber, trays there on forming therewith an imperforate par- I tition, the front edge of said carrier spaced from the front wall of the display chamber the full length thereof to provide an elongated circulation passage to cause said cold air to be delivered at the front only of the display chamber and in an unbroken sheet, and so that circulation is not impeded either in velocity or in volume. r

9. A display counter ,having cooling and display chambers, and an imperforate display shelf as a partition supported in the display chamber intermediate the top and bottom thereof, and forming with the bottom a narrow circulating passage communicating with the cooling chamber, and extending entirely therebeneath, said shelf having its forward edge spaced from the front wall of the display chamber to form a comparatively narrow gap extending the full length of the display chamber and shelf, to obtain an unobstructed sheet-like entrance of a comparatively large volume of air upwardly into the display chamber.

10. A display counter having an ice chamber in the rear and a display chamber in the forward portion, said display chamber having apan in its bottom for holding water as a humidifying agent, and an imperforate display shelf overlying said pan and spaced and arranged to obtain first a thehumidifying agent and then an upward sheet-like circulation about the. forward edge of said shelf upwardly over the same to the upper part of the icechamber.

' 11. A display counter having cooling and display chambers an imperforate display shelf as a partition in the display chamber intermediate the top and bottom thereof and forming with the bottom a narrow passage communicating with the cooling chamber,

said shelf having its forward edge spaced from the front wall of the display chamber to obtain a sheet-like entrance of air up wardly into the display chamber above the partition, the wall of the chamber being formed to cause a discharge into the display chamber substantially horizontally and at a level adjacent the level of the upper surface of the displayed goods, and in a manner to reduce rising action of the sheet of air, and therefore obtain a miximum cooling effect on the articles displayed.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of October, 1925.

KARL S. KUEHN.

ioo

downward circulation of the cold air across 7 

